2023 Best Public Middle Schools in America

• Reno, NV•

• Public School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.4 out of 5  72 reviews

Junior: Throughout my years as a student I have been to private, public, magnet, and online schools, but none of those experiences compare to the DA online campus. When I first joined Davidson I was worried. I had been to two other schools just the year before (one magnet and one public) and neither had worked. Not to mention my online school experience was very small as I had only taken a few asynchronous online classes before. But at Davidson, the live sessions were stimulating and engaging, the teachers were invested in my learning, the work was actually interesting, and my peers were amazing! I’ve made strong friendships and connections throughout my two years. Davidson has helped be become a successful student too. I’d always had trouble taking notes, planning, and studying but DAO has let me create my own strategies for each! The school is meant for gifted kids and it shows in everything they do. Thanks to Davidson I finally feel at home at school.... Read 72 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 165

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Scottsdale, AZ•

• Public School•

• 5-12

• •
  Rating 3.63 out of 5  111 reviews

Parent: The faculty, staff, volunteers, boosters, teachers, and students all are there to improve the world. The numerous clubs, from Amnesty International, Model UN, Medical Leader Club, Public Speaking Club, and the 50+ clubs for students to join, are a huge asset for building future leaders through learning first hand. They also offer many sports, arts, music programs. They have taken the best learning techniques from Europe, Asia, Canada, and the United States and brought their own techniques to life with a low teacher to student ratio. Having teachers, that are accomplished as educators and having worked in specialized fields outside of the classroom, brings a wealth of knowledge for the students. BASIS Scottsdale is rewriting what education should be. If more schools followed their path, the world would be a much more intelligent and caring place. I feel lucky to be able to have my son receive such an amazing WORLD CLASS EDUCATION!... Read 111 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,137

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Sarasota County Schools, FL•

• 2-12

• •
  Rating 4.03 out of 5  360 reviews

Senior: I've attended Pine View School from 2nd grade through 12th grade. This place is great and offers many advanced classes for those who are consistently performing above their grade level. Once a student reaches high school, they have so much freedom in what classes they take and what path they want to go down with their academics. This school teaches kids to be independent and work hard. On the other hand, unfortunately, being gifted comes with its fair share of consequences as well. The levels of depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses here is much higher than at other schools. Consistently pushing oneself to ace rigorous courses takes a toll on one's mental health. Pine View has good resources and understanding staff when it comes to this, but all I want to say is that it is NOT FOR EVERYONE. Just because you or your child are gifted does not mean you should attend. Be prepared to have your limits tested... I hope you have a good work ethic! Personally, I owe PV everything.... Read 360 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,818

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Tucson, AZ•

• Public School•

• 5-12

• •
  Rating 3.97 out of 5  60 reviews

Senior: I have really enjoyed the advanced classes offered at Basis Tucson North. You have plenty of opportunities to take honors and AP classes that will teach and challenge and prepare you for college.. I've really grown academically because of my school. I also love their foreign language curriculum. I have taken French for six years. Because of that, I feel confident in my ability to converse with native speakers on a variety of topics. The French teachers are amazing and have taught me a lot. The only complaint I have about my school is its focus on STEM. There are so many math and science courses available to take, but all of the fine arts programs are very small in comparison. In spite of that, I have had so many amazing experiences taking band and orchestra throughout my years at Basis Tucson North. Although small, the community of students that you make music with is close. Our conductor is amazing. He helps us to unlock our potential with out instruments. It's a really good class.... Read 60 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 922

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Phoenix, AZ•

• Public School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.99 out of 5  73 reviews

Senior: I’ve been a student at BASIS Phoenix since 5th grade, and I honestly love it! Subject Expert teachers, specifically ones dubbed “veteran teachers” who have been on campus since it’s opening in 2012, give in their all to their students and always persevere through the rough days like Friday’s before seasonal breaks. Everyone just wants the best for each other, especially since everyone grew up together. BASIS not only teaches you simple soft skills, like time management and teamwork, but also a sense of community that is hard to find outside of colleges.... Read 73 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 769

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Oro Valley, AZ•

• Public School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.12 out of 5  93 reviews

Junior: I think that if I went to any other school, I wouldn’t have the same teacher-student relationship as I do here. Due to the smaller class size, teachers are able to connect more with your students, and they are fully able to show just how much that they care. There’s also additional hours reserved for students who need extra help with assignments, and plenty of accommodations for those who are struggling to learn. My only complaint would be the lack of funding for extracurriculars and social gatherings, but I know that they plan on making a dedicated group of students to help create better events in the future.... Read 93 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 628

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Riverside Unified School District, CA•

• 5-12

• •
  Rating 4.28 out of 5  54 reviews

Sophomore: My experience with Riverside STEM Academy has been very rigorous and inspiring so far. Attending since 5th grade, the teachers are very supportive, ensuring your success through very thorough explanations whenever you ask a question. Additionally, though the work is very demanding and rigorous, there is always the feeling of self-satisfaction in getting a project done. As we are partnered with UCR, research and extracurricular activities, especially during the summer are plentiful and recommended. A close-knit community, Riverside STEM Academy is a place for those wishing to pursue a better future for themselves and their family. It is a place that unless you are willing to put 100%, you will not enjoy it.... Read 54 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 655

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Philadelphia City School District, PA•

• 5-12

• •
  Rating 3.89 out of 5  263 reviews

Senior: Masterman's school community is very close knit and being a small school everyone knows each other. Currently there seems to be a lot of issues that has risen due to the COVID pandemic such as a shortage of teachers as well as the lack of resource. Although there are little variety in the sports and clubs at Masterman, club are fairly easy to startup if you were passionate about something. Masterman definitely prepares their students for college as well as teaching students how to handle stress.... Read 263 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,204

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• Peoria, AZ•

• Public School•

• 5-12

• •
  Rating 4.01 out of 5  81 reviews

Senior: If your looking for the best preparation for college you will find it at basis! It AP courses are challenging yet enjoyable. Any help you need you will find with the teachers who all seek to prepare you for college. It does require hard work but as a senior I've realized all of it was worth it to get into top schools and multiple scholarship opportunities with ease.... Read 81 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 991

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Mesa, AZ•

• Public School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.65 out of 5  55 reviews

Senior: Basis Mesa has taught me many things over the past 8 Years. The workload helped me develop tenacity and diligence. I absolutely love the teachers and atmosphere. They never fail to make sure that the students excel at their crafts. From hosting student hours to checking up on the students, the teachers are incredible to work with. Many of my friends I have grown along side with have impeccable characteristics and are very compassionate of others. The facilities at Basis can definitely use some work. I'm pretty sure its because the other Basis Schools are prioritized over our smaller school. I hope that are able to earn more money to aid in providing more extracurriculars. I would like a more diverse curriculum. It would be lovely if the art department had more funding because we have many talented students that love art, theatre, and music. The opportunities that Basis provides are out-matched and I am glad I went to this school.... Read 55 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 813

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Chandler, AZ•

• Public School•

• 5-12

• •
  Rating 3.58 out of 5  72 reviews

Sophomore: Overall, BASIS Chandler was a great school. The teachers were well versed in their subjects in addition to being kind, compassionate, and caring. In academic options, BASIS really excelled. However, I felt that the arts were not given due appreciation. Furthermore, choosing a fine art class often interfered with more academic classes. This left students to choose between an artistic passions, for example, theatre, and taking an AP elective. There could be more funding and support for things that laid outside the realm of academia. Personally, I also felt the rules for students were too strict. BASIS Chandler, after all, does include high school, but we were banned from using phones during lunch, and students were not allowed to text their parents if they were feeling sick. They were supposed to go through the front office. I thought a lot of the rules were unreasonable, especially for high schoolers.... Read 72 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,177

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Phoenix, AZ•

• Public School•

• 4-12

• •
  Rating 3.92 out of 5  38 reviews

Alum: Great teachers, but majority end up leaving or becoming admin. It's a shame because there used to be a lot more teachers who were passionate for teaching. Sometimes they hire teachers whose qualifications are questionable. Compared to other BASIS schools, we had less funding from BASIS Ed (headquarters). I wish we had had more funding for our theatre department, which is what we're known for. Leadership Society is one of the best extracurriculars you can do at our school because it really teaches you to work in a team and take responsibility for things. We planned all the events from start to finish. Sports are not a strong suit here. Our school emphasizes community. The Boosters, which is the parent organization, plays a very big role in making our school better every day. They organize catered lunches from nearby restaurants as hot lunch. This school is a high stress environment but the AP tests are free. The ceilings leak every time it rains btw. The walls are WEAK so be careful.... Read 38 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 780

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Boca Raton, FL•

• Public School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.64 out of 5  102 reviews

Senior: This is an amazing school! No other school gives you the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in college curriculum while still being in high school. Students are able to join college clubs and participate in research on the college campus while still being enrolled in high school. The teachers and other staff members are very willing to help you and make your experience here as smooth as possible. You may struggle a bit in ninth grade but after that it will get easier. Although the coronavirus has not allowed me to fully appreciate my experience, I am still very grateful for the time that I have had here.... Read 102 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,273

• Student-teacher ratio 28:1

• Lake Washington School District, WA•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.04 out of 5  94 reviews

Senior: As a rising senior, I know that my education at ICS has shaped me into the person I am. From 6th grade to the present, ICS has continued to challenge and engage me with its rigorous coursework (all honors classes). Each year builds upon what I have learned in the previous years, which has allowed me to excel in my classes. The teachers are amazing and dedicated to what they do. Although I may have missed out on some of the larger social aspects associated with a larger school, the small community at ICS is fun to be a part of, as you get to know everyone on an individual basis, including teachers, fellow students, and underclassman over the course of 6 years. There are lots of opportunities for mentorship and leadership with the clubs and activities here as well. ICS isn't the right school for everyone, but it definitely is for me and I'm glad I go here!... Read 94 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 412

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Bellevue School District, WA•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.96 out of 5  94 reviews

Senior: International School was amazing! It being a very small school compared to others in the district, a sense of community was formed between each grade. Everyone knew each other and we were able to talk to anyone! It was an amazing 7 years!... Read 94 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 590

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Flagstaff, AZ•

• Public School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.07 out of 5  60 reviews

Senior: I have been at this school since 6th grade and I love it! It can definitely be very academically challenging, but that is one of my favorite parts about it. The teachers are always pushing students to do our best work and reach our full potential. I feel that I am being prepared for college very well in my final year of high school, and I love all of the courses that are being offered senior year. Despite our rigorous academics, our school culture is not overly competitive, and we all support each other, especially when it comes to college applications senior year. Although I wouldn't say that BASIS Flagstaff has great programs when it comes to sports and arts, I have still participated in and thoroughly enjoyed both. If you are interested in a high school with a lot of school spirit, especially surrounding sports, I would not recommend BASIS Flagstaff. We also tend to have a few issues surrounding administrative organization, but overall, I still love this school!... Read 60 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 878

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Tempe, AZ•

• Public School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.17 out of 5  130 reviews

Sophomore: I love Tempe Prep! It is a small inclusive community, where bright minds come together to learn. My favorite class at Tempe Preparatory Academy is Humane Letters, which explores history and English. I enjoyed the Aeneid, which we read this year. I also like all of my teachers, and have connected with them well. I have had the opportunity to start an Outdoor Club as well. But, like any school, Tempe Prep has some problems. We do not have good diversity. My class is almost fully white, and I wish I had the opportunity to learn with people a different race than I. And, of those white people, many of them are racist, and would benefit from greater diversity.... Read 130 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 434

• Student-teacher ratio —

• San Diego Unified School District, CA•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.25 out of 5  44 reviews

Senior: Mt. Everest Academy is an exceptional school that offers a unique learning experience for each student. The teachers and faculty at Mt. Everest are very caring and truly look out for the students best interest. Being that Mt. Everest Academy is an alternative, independent study school, working in that environment provides the students with better time management and communication skills than at your typical high school. In a way you get that college experience of having different classes on different days and times; having to balance your class time, homework, and extracurricular schedules is all a part of it. That might seem intimidating to some but fortunately you still have the guidance and help from teachers and counselor who will help you make the best decisions for your goals and needs. At Mt. Everest Academy, you have the opportunity to make a connection with each of your teachers, which adds to the overall experience. Enroll at Mt. Everest Academy, you won’t regret it!... Read 44 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 291

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• Chandler, AZ•

• Public School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.27 out of 5  89 reviews

Parent: I find the student body to be diverse and vibrant with students from all different backgrounds. School pride is evident by the cleanliness and orderly nature of the school grounds. Teachers are highly assessable to both students and parents and offers weekly tutoring hours. Students have time after lunch to study, attend tutoring, or get some fresh air on the field. There is a robust mentoring program for new students. My children have very different learning styles where school comes easy for one while the other struggles. Through the CPA ESS program, my youngest gets additional support that helps her be successful with the more rigorous curriculum. This school focuses on a classical liberal arts curriculum that not only cultivates the hearts and minds of students in the pursuit of Truth, Beauty and Goodness, but also graduates students that are prepared for college. The school produces a well rounded student and encourages athletics, music, art, mentorship, and community service.... Read 89 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 734

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Orange County Public Schools, FL•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.25 out of 5  179 reviews

Senior: After switching from my old elementary school to this school, I found it to be a drastic change. There are different buildings for each category of students (elementary, middle, high) and they're not all that big, however, the intelligence and diversity of this school make up for it! I've made friends of many different cultures and I've never met so many people who are of the same culture as me. I take college classes in addition to my high school classes, and I'm even graduating a year early to get a headstart on college. This school is primarily A student, and 90% of the teachers actually care about their students and prioritize their education. I love my teachers, I could never ask for better ones. Overall, this school is very hard-working, diverse, and the extracurriculars focus on STEM-related activities, but they have cultural and even athletic clubs, too!... Read 179 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,219

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Mesa, AZ•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 4.31 out of 5  13 reviews

Parent: The academic foundation provided to SDA students is exceptional. The students are well prepared for high school and beyond. My daughter attended SDA since Kindergarten. Her transition to high school went well because of the academic foundation and organizational and study skills provided to her by SDA teachers and staff. Also, through the after school club program, she developed a love for dance. Her love of dance has continued in high school too. We have such fond memories of her time at SDA!... Read 13 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 507

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Adams 12 Five Star Schools, CO•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.4 out of 5  42 reviews

Senior: The academics are exceptional, and for the most part the teachers are super great and helpful! Social life can be a little bit difficult because it is a small school, but I definitely found my group of people. One thing I would like to see change is the way the administration deals with bullying, harassment, and false allegations. Kids that behave this way often don’t get consequences, which doesn’t help the situation.... Read 42 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,551

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Woodbury, MN•

• Public School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.04 out of 5  69 reviews

Senior: It’s a small school, which means you really get to know everyone and all the teachers get to know you. Since it’s a 6-12 school, the kids grew up together and are, as a result, very tight-knit. Regardless, they’re not very social either outside of their groups and are mostly academically-focused. This also means that there’s not very much drama and is usually peaceful. Since it’s a small school, the AP classes offered are limited, so most kids opt to do PSEO, or dual enrollment, during their junior and senior years as a result. Even so, the AP classes are taught well and teachers are understanding.... Read 69 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 543

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Marlborough, MA•

• Public School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.82 out of 5  267 reviews

Junior: AMSA is a public charter school founded in 2005 with a mission to provide a rigorous and challenging academic program that emphasizes math, science, and technology. The school offers a variety of advanced placement (AP) courses and earn college credit while still in high school. The curriculum emphasizes science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) subjects. AMSA has a diverse student body and offers a variety of extracurricular activities and clubs, including athletics, music, drama, and community service. The school has a strong commitment to community service and encourages students to give back to their communities through volunteering and service projects. Overall, AMSA is known for its rigorous academic program, innovative approach to education, and commitment to community service. It may be a good fit for students who are interested in STEM subjects and are looking for a challenging and supportive academic environment.... Read 267 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 966

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Los Angeles Unified School District, CA•

• 6-11

• •
  Rating 4.53 out of 5  15 reviews

Senior: The Science Academy STEM Magnet is a perfect school for students interested in STEM. With a rigorous curriculum filled with college, AP, and honors level classes, attending this school will give students one of the best STEM-focused educations they could possibly receive. Unfortunately, the school lacks in the arts and humanities department, with little opportunity for electives and a lack of freedom in choosing courses. As someone who has realized they don’t want to go into a STEM field, and instead want to pursue film, this makes me wonder if attending this school was the right decision. Especially, because the social life is nothing like “the typical high school experience” that incoming students have seen in films and may desire to have. There is also not much school spirit or participation in sports, though I’ve been working to reverse that this year holding the new position of Commissioner of Athletics. With state-of-the-art technology and facilities, STEM kids will love it here... Read 15 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 386

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1